Tomic went on to wrap up the second set 6-4 after breaking Tomic’s serve for the fifth time in the match.

10.05pm — MURRAY BEATS TOMIC

Just not at that level.Source:AAP

AUSSIE Bernard Tomic went missing in a crucial third set tiebreak to fall 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-4) to World No. 2 Andy Murray over two hours and 30 minutes at Rod Laver Arena on Monday night.

Tomic dug deep in a scrappy third set to force a tie-breaker, but bashed a simple mid-court forehand put-away into the net at 1-1 and never recovered.

It means all Australian men and women have been eliminated from the singles draws.

Despite Tomic appearing to trouble the Scot in the third set, Tomic has never taken a set off Murray at grand slam level.

Murray has won through to his seventh-straight Australian Open quarter final where he will play Spain’s David Ferrer for a spot in the final four.

Murray said after the game Tomic will be regretting his simple unforced errors in the third set tie-break.

“It was a tough match, both of us had our chances,” Murray said.

“Bernie didn’t play his best tiebreak, he missed a few easy balls, made it a bit easier for me when it was getting tight.”

Murray admitted after the game he has had to endure a tough few days with his wife Kim in the UK due to give birth to the couple’s first child soon and his father-in-law travelling back to the UK today following his health scare at The Open.

“The last few days were very, very tough, a lot of emotions,” he said.

AUSSIE-born Brit Johanna Konta is through to the Australian Open quarter-finals after a three-set thriller against Ekaterina Makarova.

The 24-year-old, who moved to the UK when she was a teenager, becomes the first British woman through to the final eight in Melbourne since Jo Durie in 1983.

World No. 47 Konta lost the first set to the 21st-seeded Russian but held her nerve to serve out the match 4-6 6-4 8-6, with the encounter stretching over three hours.

Rising 100 ranking spots since 2014 and making her first appearance in the main draw after falling in qualifying the past three years, she will face either American Madison Keys or Chinese giant-killer Zhang Shuau.

The crowd favourite at Margaret Court Arena, Konta said the vocal local fans helped get her home.

“Mentally, physically, emotionally ... I left it all out there on the court,” Konta said.

“I just kept fighting for every point.” With no local women left in the main draw with the exit of Daria Gavrilova, Australia will look to claim Konta, who was born in Sydney.

She said her plan before the quarter-finals was simple.

“Eat, sleep and repeat,” she laughed.

7.45pm — TOMIC MANHANDLED

It’s pretty early, mate.Source:AFP

BERNARD Tomic dropped his serve in the opening game of his fourth-round blockbuster with World No. 2 Andy Murray on Rod Laver Arena.

Tomic won just one point in his opening service game as Murray raced to a 2-0 lead in the first set.

Channel 7 commentator Jim Courier said: “He’s been manhandled”.

“There’s a pretty big athletic gap between these two. Andy is one of the game’s best movers.”

Tomic was able to find his feet soon after, breaking Murray’s second service game to level the first set at 2-2.

Murray broke Tomic on the Australian’s next two service games to serve for the first set at 5-2 and even had set point before Tomic broke the Scot’s serve and held to make Murray serve for the set again at 5-4.

It came after Brit tennis great Greg Rusedski openly laughed when asked if Tomic could cause an upset on Monday night.

Speaking on a Eurosport match preview Rusedski said Tomic’s forehand needs to find more consistency while he also needs to improve his power hitting if he is to have any chance of pushing into the top 10 this year.

Rusedski laughed after being told Tomic claimed to have found a way to beat Murray after watching video tape of Murray’s shock loss to Kevin Anderson at the US Open last year.

6.45pm — STAN HIT BY MISSILE

Missile fired.Source:News Corp Australia

FORMER Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka has been knocked out of the tournament by in-form Canadian Milos Raonic in a five-set thriller.

Raonic came back from the dead after dropping the third and fourth sets before re-discovering his game to break in the fifth set and serve out a memorable 6-4 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-3 victory.

“What it always comes down to for me is trying to play in your rhythm, dictate and control the centre of the court - I felt like I was able to carry that through,” Raonic said.

“This was my first victory on Rod Laver Arena so that’s a nice plus.”

5pm — PLAYERS CONFIRM INVESTIGATION

Czech Republic's Andrea Hlavackova.Source:AP

TWO players at the centre of a Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) investigation over suspicious betting activity have today spoken out to strongly deny they acted in anyway untoward.

Mixed doubles pair Andrea Hlavackova and Lucasz Kubot won a first round match against Lara Arruabarrena and David Marrero yesterday at Melbourne Park where betting on the match was suspended by international corporate bookmaker Pinnacle Sports after large sums of money were wagered on what would normally be an inconsequential match.

Hlavackova and Kubot today confirmed they had been approached by a TIU official.

“First of all, we are surprised. I’ve never had so many people (at a press conference) around, even after winning a grand slam,” Kubot said at a press conference today.

“We won yesterday’s match, we gave 100 per cent in that match and that’s it. We unfortunately lost today - we were giving 100 per cent again.

“Yes (our opponents) were trying 100 per cent. We were trying our best.

“They approached me.

“Yes (I will speak with them again if required). I am open. I am a professional tennis player. I am trying to do my best on and off the court.”

IF Victoria Azarenka seemed in a rush during her 6-2 6-4 fourth round win against Czech Barbora Strycova, there was good reason.

You see, Azarenka is a sports nut — and her fandom isn’t just limited to tennis. So having to take the court on the same day her favourite NFL team, the Denver Broncos, played off for a place in the Super Bowl was torture.

And the only thing the Belarusian wanted to know after booking a spot in the quarterfinals of an event she’s won twice was: “Can somebody please tell me, did (the) Broncos win?”

After the crowd replied “Yes”, confirming Peyton Manning and Denver were through to the Super Bowl, Azarenka briefly lost her mind.

She raised both hands to the sky, clenched her fist and momentarily walked out of an on-court interview to celebrate.

“I’m so happy right now,” said Azarenka, unsure if she was more happy about the Broncos’ win or her own.

“I was so nervous the whole morning. I didn’t watch. I didn’t want to know the result .. as you can see I’m a crazy sports fanatic so I understand you guys when you get all nervous and stuff because I felt that.”

The former world number one, seeded 14, was too strong for Strycova, winning in less than 90 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to set up a last-eight clash with seventh seed Angelique Kerber.

The final set was Azarenka’s 18th on tour this season and the first time she has dropped more than three games during an amazing run of dominance.

New York Times columnist Christopher Clarey tweeted Azarenka’s ridiculous series of scores in 2016.

Former professional tennis player and coach Nick Lindahl appeared at Burwwod Court today.Source:News Corp Australia

TENNIS Australia has released a statement following former professional tennis player Nick Lindahl’s decision to plead not guilty to an alleged attempt to fix a tennis match.

The Daily Telegraph reported on Monday Lindahl, 27, allegedly asked for a bribe from a junior player to “tank” on their match and then tipped off two men who placed bets on the bout.

He pleaded not guilty in Burwood Local Court on Monday to agreeing to conduct that corrupted the betting outcome of an event but guilty to a second charge of using insider information for betting purposes.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Kate Young told a hearing that Lindahl told opponent Andrew Corbitt through a third party that he would “tank” their match at the 2013 Toowoomba Futures Six tournament if the junior player paid him.

Tennis Australia said it could not comment on any ongoing Tennis Integrity Unit investigations or matters before the court.

“The TIU does not comment on the progress of any investigation until and unless there is a sanction determined,” the statement said.

“Tennis Australia can only reiterate that we are unable to comment on any ongoing TIU investigations.

“In regard to the Nick Lindahl matter it would be inappropriate to comment while the matter is still before a court.”

4pm — MONFILS THROUGH

Gael Monfils pulled out the bag of tricks.Source:AAP

GAEL Monfils is into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for the first time after defeating unseeded Russian Andrey Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov took the second set on Margaret Court Arena and forced a tiebreak in the fourth before Monfils prevailed 7-5 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-4).

“I think I focused great on my serve and I needed it because he was striking the ball really good,” Monfils said.

“I had a lot of free points to help me get through.

“It’s great, I’m very happy, but to be honest I’m already focused on my quarter-final.

“I’ve had a good week and I hope I have a wonderful second week.” Monfils received treatment on court for a hand issue but he is confident it won’t hinder him in his next match.

The Frenchman will play either No.4 seed and 2014 Open champion Stan Wawrinka or 13th-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic in the quarter-finals.

“(It was) punchy when you haven’t got anything to back it up,” said Woodbridge, of Tomic’s suggestion there was a large gap between the Swiss legend and Novak Djokovic. “I think Roger’s far closer to Novak than Bernard is to winning a major.”

Woodbridge isn’t giving Tomic a chance against Andy Murray in their fourth round encounter tonight for one specific reason.

“The one thing that he hasn’t learnt to do in his career though is step up and be more assertive and aggressive — to take matches on,” Woodbridge, the champion doubles player, told the Tennis Podcast.

“He takes too long to win matches. Now, you have no chance of beating Andy Murray if you’re going to go in with that game style. So for him to progress in the next round against Andy he has to take risks (but) I don’t think he has that in him yet.

“And if he’s going to go further to reach the top 10 or even further — semis and finals of grand slams — he’s got to bite the bullet in his game style. He can manouevre the ball, he stays in rallies, he’s got a fabulous first serve — not a lot of people talk about how good his first serve is, he wins so many free points — but he needs to do more and take on his opponents.

“The match up tonight for him is a tough one. Murray’s the favourite ... Bernard hasn’t beaten any of those top guys yet. He’s beaten who he should, but not many above himself.”

Woodbridge believes if Tomic can address this area he has a shot of challenging the best players in the world because of his extraordinary knowledge of his opponents.

“He’s an interesting cat, Bernie, because I remember his father telling us he was going to win 15 grand slams before about the age of 20 — and that hasn’t come to the fore obviously,” he said.

“But he is 16 in the world, he comes off his best year last year. I’ve spent a lot of time on court with Davis Cup teams and coaching (and) he’s one of the very few players I’ve ever been out on court with who can tell you ‘this guy can not do A, B and C and I’m going to hit the ball to A, B, C to win the point’. That’s what he does really well — he loves the game and he has that art in it.”

SEVENTH seed Angelique Kerber has advanced to the Australian Open quarter-finals for the first time with a 6-4 6-0 victory over fellow German Annika Beck.

After being down match point in her first-round encounter against Japan’s Misaki Doi, Kerber has built steadily through the tournament and can now look forward to a quarter-final encounter against either two-time Open champion Victoria Azarenka or Czech Barbora Strycova.

In nine previous visits to Melbourne Park, Kerber’s best efforts were reaching the fourth round in 2013 and 2014.

“It was a really tough match,” Kerber said. “She (Beck) played amazing ... and got to the fourth round, so well done to her. It was a tough match. The first set was very close, up and down with breaks. I was trying to stay in the match and be aggressive.”

10am — NOVAK ‘POPULAR’ IN WOMEN’S LOCKER ROOM

Novak Djokovic talks a good game, too.Source:Twitter

THE men on the ATP Tour might be weary of Novak Djokovic’s dominance, but it’s different story in the women’s locker room according to the world No. 1.

Djokovic’s fourth round victim, Gilles Simon, suggested he had the support of the rest of the men’s field during yesterday’s epic five-setter because everyone would prefer to see the back of Djokovic.

“I know a lot of players wants me to win this match,” Simon said. “A lot of players will feel better with Novak out of the draw. That’s normal because he’s the best player in the world.”

Djokovic was made aware of Simon’s comments in his press conference following a 6-3 6-7 6-4 4-6 6-3 win.

Journalist: Gilles was saying something along the lines of the locker room would rather you’re not in the draw, in a good way.

As for his dominance on tour, Djokovic revealed he had spoken to women’s world No. 1 Serena Williams about the pressure involved in having the whole field targeting you.

“Yeah, we talked about it,” Djokovic said. “(I have a) good relationship with Serena. She’s a great champion. I have lots of admiration for her. But she’s a great example of somebody that still at her age, after all she achieved, keeps going. That kind of hunger and drive for the success is something that is very impressive, something that not many players have, both men’s and women’s side. So you can learn from that.

“There are places where you’re more liked or loved and places where you’re less loved. It’s all part of what we do. Travelling around the world, tennis is a very international sport, global sport, so I wouldn’t even think of me against the world. I don’t think it’s the right term at all. I don’t feel that way, honestly.

“I’m enjoying the places. Some places more support; some places less. It’s normal. People have the freedom and right to choose who they’re going to support. What’s important in your hands is to kind of stay committed, be responsible towards yourself, towards the sport if you’re a top player. Certain things that the success I had on the tour have appeared for me as an obstacle, as a challenge, as a life lesson. I’m evolving, learning as I go along. I’m trying to be my best.”

9.30am — BETTING COMPANY STOPS BETS ON SUSPICIOUS MATCH

Lara Arruabarrena of Spain.Source:Getty Images

A BETTING company stopped taking bets on a mixed doubles match at the Australian Open on Sunday after suspicious activity.

The New York Times reported major sports gambling website Pinnacle Sports suspending betting on a first round clash between Spanish duo Lara Arruabarrena and David Marrero and Poland’s Lukasz Kubot and Czech partner Andrea Hlavackova after large sums poured in ahead of the match.

Marco Blume, head of sportsbook at the website, said nearly all of the money was placed on Kubot and Hlavackova, who won the match 6-0 6-3.

Arruabarrena and Marrero — who said he was suffering from a knee injury — denied any possibility of matchfixing in a post-match interview.

The revelations come after the opening days of the tournament were blighted by reports 16 players on the world tour have been suspected of throwing matches in recent years.